2016 Cadillac CTS-V Priced $20,395 Higher Than Previous Version

Senior Pricing Analyst

As CarsDirect’s resident pricing analyst, Alex offers must-know analysis of pricing & incentives to those looking to buy or lease a car. His consumer-oriented coverage of the latest trends and breaking news has been featured in publications such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine and Autoblog.

Yesterday Cadillac announced the redesigned 2016 CTS-V sedan due later this year will be priced from $83,995. Cadillac is emphasizing that the car will be at least $10,000 less expensive than chief competitors. That may be true, but it’s also $20,395 pricier than the version it replaces. Is it really a good value? Here's what you need to know.

Finally in sync

The CTS-V has been out of sync in the brand's lineup since a 2014 redesign of the standard CTS. The previous CTS-V sedan was actually a 2014 model- oddly, the 2015 model was only offered as a coupe.

Cadillac has been making comparisons saying the new CTS-V will be $10,000 less expensive than the BMW M5. While that may be true, it's possible they want to draw attention away from the fact that the CTS-V will be $20,395 more expensive than the version it replaces.

History of odd price increases

The 2014 CTS-V sedan started at $63,600 before destination. While the 2016 model will arguably be a superior car, its higher price point is quite striking. However, this isn't the first time Cadillac has substantially hiked pricing with a redesign.

In 2014, Cadillac announced that the redesigned CTS would carry a $6,000 premium over the old version. Unfortunately, this ended up hurting sales and forced the unusual decision to cut prices in the middle of the 2015 model year by up to $3,000.

Although the CTS-V will sit at the top of Cadillac's performance lineup, shoppers have some good alternatives. The 2016 ATS-V is priced $23,530 lower, is equipped with a 464 hp twin-turbo V6, and has been getting rave reviews.

If you prefer the larger CTS, the twin-turbo Vsport model is priced over $24,000 less than the CTS-V and has an attractive mix of features. Choosing a CTS also opens you up to attractive offers like a $2,000 conquest bonus for owners of competing vehicles.

The craftiest shoppers may want to consider an outgoing 2014 CTS which are close to selling out right now. They might be last year's model but they feature up to $6,000 in unadvertised dealer cash incentives (dealers use their discretion to pass this along, so your savings might vary). The $2,000 conquest bonus extends to the 2014 model, too.

The new CTS-V promises to deliver thrilling performance at the top tier of the sport sedan realm. However, it carries a substantial premium over the version it replaces. Fortunately, the changing face of Cadillac's lineup means shoppers have some good alternatives that still offer good value and performance.

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Incentives listed here are based on a resident in Southern California. Regional incentives can sometimes vary, so please check with your CarsDirect Trusted Dealer to confirm all available offers in your region.

As CarsDirect’s resident pricing analyst, Alex offers must-know analysis of pricing & incentives to those looking to buy or lease a car. His consumer-oriented coverage of the latest trends and breaking news has been featured in publications such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine and Autoblog.